Michael Skubala faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United caretaker will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of the Everton clash on Saturday.
Here is a run-down of some of the main topics on the agenda for the under-21s boss to address at the training ground today.
Injuries
With Skubala now facing his third pre-match press conference, there is a hope he grows in confidence when discussing injury issues. There has been a lot of discretion up to now, but it could be helpful to get some firm indications on where last weekend’s seven doubts are at.
READ MORE: Leeds United dressing room leaders have already shown Michael Skubala what he needs to survive
Adam Forshaw, Liam Cooper, Marc Roca, Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo, Pascal Struijk and Luis Sinisterra were all missing from Sunday’s loss. Struijk is expected to be clear of the concussion protocol, but Skubala needs to clarify that.
How the last few days have played out
On Sunday, Skubala was talking about the importance of a permanent head coach appointment and meetings with Victor Orta to discuss the next steps. By Monday night, the caretaker was at Elland Road finalising an extension to his current position.
There are bound to be questions on what was said in the talks and how he feels about spending even longer with an expanded brief.
Player reaction
Senior members of the playing staff are already understood to have backed the decision to keep Skubala in place based on last week’s progress, but there are sure to be further pushes on what is like around Thorp Arch with no permanent boss.
Pressure of Everton and Southampton
The major shift in context around Skubala’s position is the matches ahead and league state. After the free hits and the quick turnaround of the Manchester United double-header, the circumstances could not be more different.
Skubala absolutely has to get four, if not six, points from these next two matches or Leeds are in serious bother. This could quickly go from being the feel-good surpassing of low expectations to the existential dread of relegation in a matter of no time at all.
Substitutions
Each of last week’s games arguably got away from the Whites off the back of Skubala’s substitutions. After two decent performances, these decisions were the blots on his copybook and there could be questions about them today.
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